2017 Collected| Wedding inspiration

This rustic yet modern wedding inspiration is for the couple who has really good taste in design and in food + drink but doesn't need anything traditional at their wedding. This look features a build-your-own bourbon cocktail bar set in front of a handmade weaving installation, a custom made table, mismatched bridesmaids and a stacked rug ceremony stage...the earthy and slightly moroccan vibe the vendors pulled together for this collaborative shoot make for a beautifully eclectic wedding style that touches on some really great trends for the 2017/2018 seasons.
This style inspiration was created by a collaborating team of wedding professionals for an event we founded called Collected. You can learn more about it below and also get in touch with all the vendors!

//About Collected//
Four years ago this event was a hair-brained and selfish attempt at making more friends in our local market. We didn't know any wedding vendors or any other photographers back then and it was lonely. So we reached out to some really amazing people and asked them to work with us. Everyone far exceeded our vision and expectations not only with their work for Collected but with their giving spirits and kind hearts. Those people are solid, real life friends today and we couldn't be more thankful for that hair-brained idea that turned into something we never imagined. For the last four years, Collected has been an event for wedding photographers and vendors to retreat. To make photos we want to make with stylish details and on-brand models. The photos and inspiration are for our couples! The style, the ideas, the handmade items it's all in hopes of encouraging couples to think outside the box when it comes to their wedding. And to be personal, unique and purposeful in the design. 

Collected is a true collaborative event meant to build the networks and portfolios in the vendor/photographer/model markets. As the founders, we collect the wedding vendors and encourage them to work as a team creating work for the style/vision we set before them. Each year is better than the year before, I swear, I don't know how that's possible.

For the photographers and models, things get crazy and chaotic (hence the new hashtag #collectedchaos) but there is a method to the madness. The alternative group shooting style get's us out of our little bubbles, out from behind the camera a bit and tests our boundaries. At the end we're more in-tune with who we are and what we want for our own businesses. Shooting the work of each vendor allows us to use our creative passion to help others grow their own businesses and that part feels pretty good, but selfishly we're also boosting our referral circle by making friends. 

There's food, drinks and it's always a really good time. The theme is always on-trend so we can all make beautiful, impactful images to share and showcase our skills! If you're interested in joining the Collected chaos in the future, you can check out the new website here and sign up to collaborate. 

We'll eventually be doing vendor highlights over on the blog there but for now, here's the Mallory + Justin take on 2017 Collected. Be sure to check the list of amazing contributors at the end!  We're humbled by your friendship alone but the amazingness of this event continues to surprise us!

Thanks so much to these amazing creative collaborators:

Venue:
Varian Orchards
Styling By:
Oak & Honey Events
Backdrops & Installations By:
Elbowgrease
Florals By:
The Red Twig
Catering By:
Bahler Street
Bourbon Bar By:
Tom's Foolery Distillery, Chagrin Falls Ohio
Cake & Cupcakes By:
A Cupcake A Day
Stationery Design By:
Lovely Somethings
Table & Leather Accessories By:
Linen & Timber
Chairs, Silverware & Plates By
Lasting Impressions Event Rentals
Wedding Gowns By:
Moon and Back Bridal
Hair & Make Up By:
Beauty by Mermaid
Bridal Accessories By:
Entwine Bridal
Some Decor Accessories (Vintage Rug & Goblets) By:
Birchwood Supply
Wedding Rings By:
Liza Michelle Jewelry

Models:
Katie Rosiu
Grace Dwyer
Whitney Prather
Anthony Alleshouse
Mark Hoover
Jonathan Mullins
Kate Bee
 

Collected 2016

Each year we have the honor and privilege of sharing a day with a bunch of awesome creatives in a vibe-y space to take photos and indulge in some R&R. This year was pretty epic. The cast of vendors was simply perfect and the photographers who joined us to photograph the goods were so so great! We couldn't have asked for a better Collected group and we can't wait for whatever next year has in store for us. 

It's so important for us to tune into our artist hearts from time to time. To tune out the world that is filled with daily inspiration boards and shot lists and IG posts. To create something with our brains instead of recreating something with our eyes. That's what Collected is about. That's what these creative vendors get to do. Take a look at what came of this year's collaboration (complete vendor list at bottom of post):

Collected Hosts & Event Coordinators - Mallory + Justin McCrea, Lauren Huddleston
Venue: Epiphany Pietzcker - The Piggery at Anna Dean Farm
BandScenic Route
Catering: Brian Bower - Taproot Catering
Bar Service: Happy Camper Bar Car
Hand-Lettered Elements- bar & buffet menus- With Love & Whimsy -
Printed Stationery Suite- - invitation & place-setting menu- Baci Designer
Styling & Furniture Rentals - Julie Eifel - Borrow Rentals
Backdrop Set Installations - ELBOWGREASE Designs
Floral Design - Ashley's Floral
Bakery -  Hummingbird Bake Shop
Gowns & Accessories -  Moon and Back Bridal
Beauty -  Beauty Therapy Inc
Bride #1 -  Sophia Termine - Wearing a Claire La Faye gown/ Sash by The Yellow Peony Hair by Jolene and Make Up by Jami of Beauty Therapy
Groom #1 - Brandon Marlowe - Suit by Coppley
Bride #2 Sydney Bolek - Wearing a Pure Magnolia Gown, Hair by Erica Snodgrass | Make Up By Jami of Beauty Therapy
Groom #2Ross Newbauer wearing Express & JC Penney.

 

 

Collected 2015

Way back in July we hosted the second annual Collected. This event, spun out of a handful of ideas and dreams of collaborating, has taken on a life of it's own both years. This year we had the most amazing team of vendors in the industry to put their minds to work creating vignettes of style and creativity. The photographers, all twelve of us, looked with discerning eyes for ways to improve, to see differently, to refuel our passion for this creative passion. The product was a weekend full of crazy downpours, delicious food, bottles of whiskey passed around the fire, eating s'mores out of each others hands (that was awkward and I'm still not sure why it happened), new bonds, laughter and a lot of really great photography. 
Here's my take on this years look!

The love and appreciation I have for Tap Root Catering, Fair Rarity Flowers, Baci Designer (stationary) & Borrow Rentals for being huge contributors to this event TWO YEARS in a row is just too much to put into words on this blog! Your work is constantly stunning, inspiring, creative and literally THE BEST in the industry! 


Vendors who make this event possible: 
Taproot Catering
Sweet Water Caravan
Borrow Vintage & Eclectic Rentals
Fair Rarity Flowers
Baci Designer
Oak & Honey Events
Andi Wheatley Makeup Artistry

Sponsors:
Special thanks to all of our amazing national & local event sponsors
The FIND Lab
ProDPI
H.H.Boogie
(provided a hand-crafted album box for a giveaway, see the video here.)
Madera Books
Deli Ohio
17hats
Artifact Uprising
Chad Austin Design

Hugs and high-fives to the gorgeous folks in front of the camera:
Devin Casper-Hill  & Keith Hill
Audreanna Tabellion & Josh Heckathorn
Tj Alleshouse
Jeanna Washko & Family
Maria Mejia